Auburn carved its name into the annals of history with an impeccable performance against Samford, clinching a commanding 8-0 victory in just five innings on Wednesday.
In an impeccable display of teamwork, pitchers Maddie Penta, Shelby Lowe, and Annabelle Widra orchestrated a symphony of precision to stifle the Bulldog (9-25) offense, etching the first-ever combined perfect game in Auburn softball lore.
Auburn head coach Mickey Dean was effusive in his praise, remarking on their immaculate control on the mound.
"Their accuracy was simply sublime tonight." Dean said, noting that the trio threw a mere 65 pitches across five innings, a testament to their mastery of the craft.
Penta, the catalyst for the victory, notched the win and bolstered her season record to 10-6, setting the tone with a dominant performance that saw her strike out five of the nine batters she faced. Lowe and Widra seamlessly picked up where Penta left off, with Lowe adding three strikeouts and Widra contributing two to the tally.
While the pitching staff commanded the game defensively, the Tigers seized their offensive opportunities with aplomb. They amassed eight runs on seven hits, all achieved with two outs on the scoreboard. Leading the charge was Anna Wohlers, who ignited the lineup with a stellar 2-for-3 performance, crossing the plate twice. Meanwhile, KK McCrary continued her hot streak, going 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBI.
The Tigers wasted no time asserting their dominance at the plate. Amelia Lech kickstarted the offense in the first inning with a thunderous three-run homer, setting the stage for McCrary's second-inning blast that extended the lead to 5-0. Peralta's timely double further padded the Tigers' advantage.
Makayla Packer delivered the coup de grâce in the third inning with a bases-clearing triple, bringing her career total to 10 triples, just one shy of tying the program's all-time record held by Tiffany Howard.
Looking ahead, Auburn aims to maintain its momentum as it wraps up its homestand with the War Eagle Classic this weekend. The Tigers will square off against Louisiana Tech and Georgia Tech in a four-game series, commencing with a clash against the Lady Techsters at 2 p.m. CT on Friday.
The historic perfect game victory not only underscores the prowess of Auburn's pitching staff but also highlights the team's offensive tenacity and resilience. As they forge ahead in the season, the Tigers have set a formidable benchmark for success.
